Drip pan for toilet tanks



June 14, 1932. wlMMER 1,863,211

DRIP PAN FOR TOILET TANKS Filed Oct. 29, 1951 F 3 A I /117 i waa/h E1 =7. 14527717752" Patented June 14, 1932 PATENT OFFICE EDWARD J. WIMMER OF MAI THATTAN, KANSAS DRIP FOR TOILET TANKS Application filed ember 29,1931. Serial in. 571,779.

My invention relates to lavatories and has for its object to provide a simple, durable and effective drip-pan for the flush tank or reservoir of a toilet bowl.

5 Usage has determined that the surface of the storage or flush tank from which water is intermittently discharged, constantly develops moisture upon its surface, due to the variations in temperature of the water and surrounding atmospheric conditions. This condensation drips upon the floor or walls about the tank and results in serious damage unless constant care is taken to mop up the accumulated moisture. My invention is pri- 16 marily developed to overcome this defect.

The arrangement and construction of the drip-pan is such that it can be quickly attached in position under the tank by a simple friction grip collar, which is carried by the 20 pan and is adapted to engage the discharge pipe of said tank, whereby all condensation from the surface of the same is trapped and drained into the toilet bowl, or other suitable receptacle.

With the above and other minor objects in view, the invention consists of certain peculiarities of construction and combination of parts, as will be fully set forth hereinafter "with reference to the accompanying drawing and subsequently claimed.

the drawing, Figure 1 represents a top Y plan view of a drip-pan embodying the fea- "tures of my invention, with certain parts broken away to more clearly illustrate structural features; 7

Figure '2 is a side elevation of the same,

with parts broken away to more clearly show adetail of construction;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the drip-pan particularly illustrating the gripping collar whereby the pan is secured in position under the tank; and,

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view upon a reduced scale illustratin a flush tank, its associated pipes and the rip-pan in position under said tank.

Referring by characters to the drawing, with special reference to Figure 1 of the drawing, 1 represents drip-pan of general rectangular contour, conforming to a standard flush tank and having a'continuous outer wall 2 forming the edges of the pan.

The back side wall 2 of the tank is provided with a centrally disposed and inwardly extending throat 3 and a second throat 4. As best shown in Figure 4 of the drawing, the central throat is adapted to receive the discharge pipe from the tank and the throat; is similarly provided for the reception of the tank supply pipe C.

Thus, the pan can readily be inserted under the tank by adjusting its throats over the associated pipes. When the pan is so ad- ]usted, it is frictionally locked in position slightly below the tank bottom and held in said position by a gripping collar 5. The gripping collar in this exemplification of my invention is pivotally secured to the bottom of the pan by a rivet 6, it being understood that the collar is provided with a semi-circular throat which is adapted to engage the tank discharge pipe, the same operating in conjunction with a corresponding semi-circular base 3 of the pan throat 3.

The collar, when in its locked position, with relation to the discharge pipe, as shown in Figure l of the drawing, is held in said position by a rivet or pin 6, which is secured to the pan bottom and the inner edge of the collar has formed therein, a slot 8, which slot engages the body of the rivet 6, and due to the tight fit between the surfaces of the collar and rivet mentioned, said collar is securely locked in position about the pipe, thus, positively securing the pan in the desired position. v

Referring particularly to Figure 4, it will be observed that the upturned edge walls of the pan, as well as the pan bottom, is spaced slightly beyond the walls of the flush tank A, whereby the moisture flowing from said walls will be trapped.

In practice, it may be desirable to fit a felt strip or collar B about the junction of the pan and discharge pipe, to thus form a practically water-tight joint at this point and also to prevent the conduction of heat from the pipe to the reservoir, whereby the pan is sufficiently cooled to prevent moisture from accumulating upon it.

The moisture collected in the pan 1 may be drained off by a small pipe 9, which pipe communicates with the bottom of the pan, and it may be of such flexibility that it can readily be bent to conform to the surrounding fittings, and its mouth can be introduced into the lavatory bowl, whereby the drippings from the pan will be constantly taken care of.

While I have shown and described one exemplifi'cation of my invention minutely as to details, it is understood that I may vary the structural features without departing from the spirit or the scope of my invention, as outlined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a storage tank for the intermittent discharge of fluid having valve controlled supply and discharge pipes, a detachable 'drippan therefor, adapted to be positioned I under the tank, the same having a continuous outer wall provided with U-shaped throats therein for the reception of the sup:

- ply and discharge pipes and a collar carried by the pan for adjustable engagement with the discharge pipe and throat of said pan, 7

whereby the same is locked in engagement with said discharge pipe to secure the pan in position.

2. In a storage tank for intermittent supply of water having valve controlled supply and discharge pipes; the combination of a detachable drip-pan therefor positioned under the tank, the same having a continuous outer wall provided with U-shaped throats therein for the reception of the supply and discharge pipes and a collar pivoted to the pan HLSSOCi-r ated with the discharge pipe throat, and means for locking said collar in frictional engagement with the aforesaid discharge pipe in conjunction with the associated pan throat.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Manhattan, in the county of Riley and State of Kansas.

EDWARD J. WIMMER. 

